I’ve been fortunate to visit Paris many times. I was there again in June 2019 during the World Cup. I met my daughter and granddaughter (7) there and was showing them around my favorite city. We had Eiffel tickets for a Monday evening and left the tower around 11 pm. First taxi we hailed shows us a text in broken English claiming all taxis were on “prix fixe” and the charge was 35 euro. Thing was we were in the same area the night before, a Sunday, and the fare was 16 euro. We decline the ride and walk to the other side of the street eventually finding another taxi and he gives us the same spiel. Once again we decline, although after a long day of walking I was tempted to just pay the 35 euro. We decided to walk up to the Trocadero and grab a taxi there. Sure enough we get one and the fare was 14 euro. We added a nice tip too. Bottom line all taxis must use the meter unless it’s an airport run as there are some fixed prices for those.
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3698 posts
Thanks for posting this. I have had two taxis try to pull these kinds of scams but both were at Gare du Nord. Sad to hear that they are trying the fixed-rate scam in other parts of Paris.
Posted by
Chicago
8057 posts
Every time this happens photograph their license plate and if inside the cab demand to be let out but first photograph the information about the cab license on the inner back window usually on the left. Then report them to the authorities. If the authorities start getting dozens of these, perhaps they will do something. Otherwise the cabbies of Paris are going to lose their living to Uber the king of exploiting labor.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10192 posts
The place to report taxi problems is at the Préfecture office.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2545 posts
Not sure I would call being overcharged a scam. And while price gouging should be reported to the Préfecture, you unfortunately have nothing tangible to give to the police. For a report, you need a taxis´ parking permit number (found on the right front fender) and the vehicle registration number, or at least one of those two items.
There is a form, available in English, which should be submitted to the police by anyone who is cheated by a taxi driver. Most people who visit Paris carry cameras or at least a smart phone. If a taxi situation should arise, take a photo of the vehicle registration number, found on the left inside back window of every taxi, and the parking permit on the fender. I have done this in the past and drivers can become remarkably cooperative when they see what you are doing.
That sticker, on the inside rear window of every taxi, also has the legal taxi fare structure and it is written in English.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I've only taxied a couple times in Paris. Both times the driver seemed to know the city less than I did. I almost always walk if it's less than 15 minutes and metro if it's longer.